A theme that is sitting with me at the moment is the great privilege I have of observing the evolution of individuals and their businesses and organisations over time (as well as, when I reflect on it, my own evolution including in my role with my clients).
I often humorously note that clients can never leave, once they become a client they are always a client! Joking aside, though on average my clients work with me for over two years at the start of our engagement, some may cease regular engagement for a time, but they are always on my mind. Often they will then re-engage when it is the right time for them as with a current client who I first worked with well over a decade ago and who was ready to do more work this year. In addition to client work, I also love to mentor others (and to be mentored) and have mentoring relationships that have been going on for many years, during which both of us have evolved, grown and changed, sometimes immeasurably so!
It is a true privilege to be on that journey with people who bravely introspect for themselves as individuals and also for their organisation. It is constantly inspiring for me to support others in what I call #MakingPotentialPossible.
One particular event that catalysed me into bringing all of this to the forefront of my consciousness was a lunch I had with a client recently. I was introduced to this leader and their business around the start of the pandemic lockdowns in the spring of 2020, and then we met in person for the first time outdoors in a park in London for several hours (as was the allowed limit at that time). I then worked closely with them for approaching two years, then we agreed it was time for me to step back in early 2021 to allow them to build the foundations for the future that we had designed a strategy for. Since that time we have met up periodically to check in, but the recent lunch was the first time we had managed to do so this year.
It was a lovely catch-up, and then we got to talking about their business. As they relayed how things were, and how things had progressed, they noted both that they had let go of making many of the decisions, instead allowing the other leaders in the business to do so, but also that the business was thriving, as well as that their role had changed to more of a mentor and coach to the younger leaders. In addition to all of that, the energy they brought as they relayed this was one of calm confidence.
I smiled widely as I listened, as I realised how far they had come since that first meeting over three years ago! I then asked if they could remember what we had agreed to focus on together back then, but they could only remember elements. As I could remember more clearly, I shared with them what they had said they wanted for themselves and the business three years hence from that day. They knew how they wanted to feel, what they would have changed their own role to be, and where the business would be.
When I repeated all of this to them, they too smiled as they realised that they had evolved to achieve what they had declared that they wanted over three years ago while sitting on the grass looking over London.
It was a wonderful moment, and yes, one I took great pleasure in and also recognised my immense privilege to be trusted to support brave individuals in leading change for themselves and others.
My work is in evolution more than revolution, in being there on the journey. As my home page notes, I am about Elevating Leadership:
To unlock and realise potential, you need someone by your side continually focussed on elevating your leadership to new heights and delivering an elite level of wisdom and decision-making.
If you would like to talk about elevating your own leadership, book a zoom call with me, I’m always inspired by people who take that first step!